Dressing for Winter
As the new year rolls in, one thing is for certain: the weather is going to get colder before it gets warmer. While sensible folks stick to winter sports like skiing or head to their indoor gyms, us cyclists just carry on like nothing has changed since July. We might have to add on a few more layers of clothing, a rain jacket, tights, booties, hats, scarves, gloves and an extra pair of gloves, but a blustery Saturday morning is as good a day for a ride as any, right? Right.
To be fair, winter weather does change our cycling habits. Every experienced cyclist has a preferred method of staying warm and dry. Here, we'll try and outline a few of the products that can help keep your winter riding warm and enjoyable.
Jackets
Your jacket is the first line of defense from the elements. It is responsible for repelling water, wind and whatever other elements come your way. Cycling shells are made with a variety of features to suit particular weather conditions.
Selecting a jacket can get a bit tricky. Many manufacturers claim that their jacket is warm, breathable, windproof, waterproof and lightweight, all at the same time. In reality, jackets face some limitations. In general, a truly waterproof jacket will lack breathability. Extremely breathable jackets suffer in terms of either water resistance or warmth. Waterproof and windproof panels tend to lack elasticity, which can slightly limit range of motion. It is best to select a jacket that best suits the conditions you typically ride in.
Most cycling shells feature a windproof/water-resistant outer layer. The Assos Airjack 851 Jacket and Bellwether Stormfront Jacket strike a balance between weather resistance and breathability.
If you ride in a wet climate, a good rain jacket is indispensable. Showers Pass makes fantastic waterproof jackets and, like BikeTiresDirect, is based in the Pacific Northwest, where we really know rain. The Showers Pass Double Century Jacket is an excellent medium weight rain jacket. The Showers Pass Touring Jacket will take the worst mother nature can throw at you. 
Tights
They might not be the most attractive part of the winter kit, but a good pair of tights simplify your wardrobe and make your winter riding much more comfortable. Tights face the same limitations as jackets, weather resistance and breathability are somewhat mutually exclusive and you must find a balance between the two that suits your typical riding conditions.
The Castelli Thermo KISS Bib Tight is a great medium weight bib tight with a chamois, designed to be used in lieu of regular shorts. The Assos Airblock 851 Tights is made without a chamois and designed to be worn over your shorts.
Tights without the bib section are also popular and can be worn over or under standard cycling shorts. The Castelli Thermo KISS Tight is made with chamois, Castelli Thermo Tight are without. The Bellwether Mens Wind Front Tight is a popular tight fit loose enough for commuters but sporty enough for especially cold training rides. 
Jerseys
Jerseys are most adaptable for changing conditions. If it's really cold out, pile on two or three. If it's just kind of chilly, you can probably get by with one. A medium weight long sleeve jersey such as the Castelli Ocean 5 Long Sleeve Jersey or Bellwether Mens Draft Long Sleeve Jersey will probably be your favorite piece of clothing by the time spring rolls around. A good winter jersey will use thicker material than your standard short sleeve jersey and have plenty of pocket room to store snacks, phone, patch kits, maps and whatever else you need.
Wearing a simple summer weight jersey under your long sleeve will take the chill off the coldest rides. If you get too hot, it will be easy enough to carry with you. Castelli, Bellwether, Assos, and Capoforma all make great jerseys to suit all conditions.
Base Layer
When heating your house in the winter, do you build an elaborate wind screen and a new roof, or do you add insulation?
The base layer is your primary source of insulation. It keeps the heat you generate close to your body, where it can keep you warm. A good winter base layer will let sweat evaporate while retaining heat. Ironclad 1ST Layer Cold Condition is an ideal winter base layer, made of a thick insulating fabric designed to wick moisture away from your skin.
We carry a variety of base layers from Castelli, Bellwether, Bioflex, Craft, and Ironclad. Different models are designed to help keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. A good base layer is key to staying comfortable on the bike.
Your worn out cotton gym shirt is NOT a base layer. Avoid cotton at all costs, it absorbs moisture and becomes a cold damp rag clinging to your skin. 
Gloves
On a cold ride, your hands are usually the first to feel the chill. As your hands get cold and stiffen up, your ability to shift, brake and steer your bike can be seriously impaired. Big time safety hazard!
Good gloves are essential. The Craft Siberian Glove is an ideal cold weather glove. On especially cold days, it's best to add a DeFeet Duraglove as a liner. Cycling gloves generally skew to the breathable side of the weather resistant spectrum. If you're riding in particularly nasty conditions, it's best to pick up some water proof shells from your local outdoor store to wear over your gloves.
We also offer Pro Corsa gloves, which come in a variety of weights to suit all conditions. 
Hats
Your mother always told you to put on your hat, and it's no different on the bike. It's important to keep those ears covered on a cold ride. Exposed ears give off a lot of heat! The Craft Pro Hat is a great medium-weight hat that is heavy enough to keep you warm but thin enough to fit under your helmet. In most situations, a head band will provide adequate warmth for chilly rides. The Pearl Izumi Microsensor Headband is a favorite around our offices.
Shoes, Socks and Booties
Mountain bike shoes rule during winter, and even the most dedicated roadie probably has an old pair of MTB shoes laying around for winter use. Shoes like the Sidi Eagle 5 MTB Shoe offer less breathable panels than road shoes, which makes them better-insulated and better suited for fighting off winter winds.
For particularly cold rides, Louis Garneau Stop Tech Shoe Covers can be used over road or MTB shoes. Neoprene booties like the Louis Garneau Protect Shoe Covers are ideal for staying warm in wet conditions, and best suited for use with road shoes, as they have a hard time fitting over MTB cleats.
Like a good base layer, good socks are an important part of building a warm foundation. DeFeet Woolie Boolie Socks are the warmest and most comfortable wool socks we've come across.
Riding through the winter doesn't have to feel like some kind of punishment. A few key additions to your wardrobe can make your rides enjoyable year-round. As always, feel free to contact us at or sales@biketiresdirect.com with any questions regarding your winter survival kit.
